Written by Laurie Scott, Director of Development for USF CMS
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Congratulations to the inaugural Von Rosenstiel Innovation Fund for Marine Science Award winners: Ryan Venturelli, Jonathan Sharp, and Jing Chen! All are Ph.D. candidates in the USF College of Marine Science. The competition, held for the first time on November 19th, required each contestant to make a five minute presentation to a panel of three judges and an audience of current and emeritus faculty, student peers and staff in the college.
Ryan Venturelli and Jonathan Sharp took first place for their research project “Measuring Isotopic and Carbonate Chemistry Characteristics of an Antarctic Subglacial Lake.”
Second place went to Jing Chen for his project “Material Convergence for Tampa Bay and the Adjacent Gulf of Mexico.”
Other participants in the competition included Ph.D. candidates Ellie Hudson Heck and Bea Combs. Hudson-Heck proposed a citizen science water quality monitoring program designed to help people make connections between local environmental issues and global climate change. Bea Combs presented a project exploring the use of ecosystem modeling to understand the impacts of seagrass restoration and harmful algal blooms on marine mammals, turtles, and birds.
The Von Rosenstiel Innovation Fund for Marine Science award was established by Mrs. Anne Von Rosenstiel to enable talented graduate students to explore ideas they have developed that have the potential to advance the field of marine science.
Over many years, Werner and Anne Von Rosenstiel gave generously to a number of fellowships funds in the College of Marine Science. Three named funds were also established: The Anne and Werner Von Rosenstiel Fellowship in Marine Science, The Anne and Werner Von Rosenstiel Endowed Marine Science Research Fund, and The Von Rosenstiel Innovation Fund for Marine Science.
We would especially like to thank Mrs. Anne Von Rosenstiel for her generous endowment, which makes these awards to our students possible, and Mr. Jim Aresty, Mr. Jason Mathis and Dr. Al Hine for serving as judges for the competition. Thanks is also due to Dr. Gary Mitchum, who served as the emcee for the awards.
We look forward to next year’s competition!
Laurie Scott
Director of Development
USF College of Marine Science